Unable to enter the jam-packed building, I stood in the crowded courtyard as the funeral service was preached. The hot tropical sun beat down on the village of Fancy, Saint Vincent, and I continually had to mop my brow to keep the perspiration out of my eyes. The preacher was faithful in his sermon, and many heard a clear, solemn warning in the gospel that Sunday afternoon.
I had known the man whose body lay in the casket, and I had often sat on his porch in the heat of the day, enjoying the Word of God and the things of Christ together. Now, at age 89, he was finally with the One he loved, served and longed to see face-to-face — his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I stood listening to the sermon and joining in with the singing of several old familiar gospel hymns, I looked to my right and noticed that the name on the funeral coach read,
THE EVER-READY FUNERAL HOME
At first it made me smile, and then it rather startled me. What a name for an undertaking business, yet how appropriately ironic. Yes, Mr. Bowens was ready, and he had been for many years. But what about you? Are you Ever-Ready?
Now is the time to prepare for eternity! The Bible clearly warns us, “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). The prophet Amos commands us, “Prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:1212Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (Amos 4:12)).
In the first thirteen verses of Matthew 25, we read the story of the “Ten Virgins” as told by the Lord Himself when here on earth. Five of these ladies (the bride’s attendants) were ready to meet the bridegroom, and five were not. The five who were ready are called wise, and the five who were not ready are called foolish.
Here’s why: “The bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)). The wise had made preparation, and the foolish left it until it was too late!
On another occasion, the Lord Jesus said, “Be ye therefore ready also” (Luke 12:4040Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (Luke 12:40)). We do not know how long we have to get ready. Life is short and uncertain; we do not know how long we have to live, and, like the bridegroom, the Lord Jesus is coming very soon!
Perhaps you are wondering how to get ready — how to get saved. It is by repenting of your sins and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to save us, and when we receive Him as our Saviour, He washes our sins away in His blood, making us ready for that happy home in heaven called the Father’s house. The Lord Jesus Christ is ready to receive you. He says, “Come; for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:1717And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. (Luke 14:17)).
Are you ready to receive Him right now?